I don't own Love Hina. Love Hina belongs to Ken Akamatsu. The story though is just a work of fiction. For all spelling and grammar mistakes I apologize in advance.
Legends
VI
---
Kentaro Sakata does not believe in blind chance or heavenly providence.
For him everything happens for a purpose. Everything in the world has a reason for existing. Everybody has their own predestined path. Everybody has a role to play. Everyone has their own place in the grand scheme of life… everyone. And nothing could change that… nothing.
And so no man could make his own future for that future has already been decided for him by a power higher than his own. And that ultimate power was the shogunate.
The shogun was the extreme ruler of man's fate, the architect of his life by imposing specific tasks to be followed until the day he dies. And in this land where the sun rises with lush golden wonder, nothing could contest such strength of authority.
Anybody who does shall die by Kentaro's sword.
Kentaro smirked. He opened his hand and balled it again into a fist. To be given a power to decide any man's fate was a privilege worth his life.
He looked up and watched the 'prisoners' ushered outside, into the main road.
The village has fallen to his control the day before. After the ambush on the road and futile attempts at recapturing the fugitives, Kentaro usurped the elders who formed a mere semblance of village governance. The villagers quickly succumbed to his wishes under severe threats of complete annihilation.
Cruelty has always been his strength, his key; to dominate lesser beings was his sole purpose.
Then Kentaro ordered his samurais to walk around the village as monks to hide their true identity. And soon enough, they caught sight of Narusegawa among the thick stream of villagers unaware of a trap she blissfully thought she could avoid.
And to his delight and amusement he also caught an Aoyoma and a Konno. Prestigious and ancient lineage of imperialist warriors, they represent everything the shogunate abhorred.
Kentaro smiled, this should be interesting.
---
Motoko could not hide her shame.
She honestly believed that they could evade capture from the far-reaching clutches of the ever powerful shogunate army. She could now see how stupid and gullible she has been. And that mistake would now cost them their lives and their honour. She had failed. She had utterly and shamefully failed.
Why didn't I think of asking assistance when we clearly needed it… how can I be so… proud? Sister…
Motoko raised her head and almost let out a moan of desperation.
But she kept her face straight, devoid herself of any hint of emotions. She gripped her sword tighter. She looked around and found the village almost empty. It was completely surrounded by shogunate samurais. The villagers and strangers she had seen earlier has either left or stayed indoors, out of sight.
She sighed. She made a decision.
Motoko Aoyoma would die with honour. She would face death like a true warrior.
---
Mitsune was busy counting the shogunate samurais around them.
Through her despair she observed the futility of a possible escape. She trembled under the heat of the afternoon sun. And what made her feel even more miserable was that the village was empty. Not one has the courage to stand up and offer assistance… not one.
And for her, three women surrounded by armed men was more than enough reason for anybody… for any man.
She could not help but think that Japan has truly descended into an era of fear, where brutality was a way of life, that the sword was more commanding than honour and chivalry. Could this get any worst?
For some odd reason, Mitsune has someone on her mind. And to think that she felt a glimmer of hope whenever she thought of his odd smile, awkward attitude and calm demeanour was something she was yet to comprehend.
She sighed, Keitaro… where are you?
---
Naru kept her head high.
She glared at the samurais staring at them. She felt defeated but she kept her face impassive. The imperial courts had thought her to keep her pride even in the face of defeat. And such was the attitude of the imperial family against the might of the Kamakura shogunate.
For pride was what the imperial family has. The nobility of their blood free of barbarity and of violence. And for a long time they have been trying to restore that pride back to this motherland divided by ferocious hostilities.
No… I will not yield to them. There is more to brute strength. I will not condone this barbaric act. Enough is enough!
---
Kentaro approached the women.
He faced Naru and smiled, "How are you my dear---,"
Before Kentaro could finish a deafening slap echoed through the stillness of the village. Naru's hand had swung full into Kentaro's face causing him to leer back.
And for a moment nobody spoke. The samurais stared awestruck by what they had just witnessed. They were confused and they could not decide whether to draw sword or not. Such disrespectful act towards their lord was punishable by death and royalty was not an exception.
Then a samurai stepped forward drawing his sword.
But Kentaro raised a hand.
He composed himself and faced Naru again, his face unreadable but his eyes were cold, he whispered, "I will let it pass this time… but the moment you raise your hand again… I will behead you myself,"
Naru glared back but kept her mouth close, her hands on the side.
Then Kentaro walked towards Motoko.
"Motoko Aoyoma… what a pleasant surprise. I never thought I'd run in to you this fateful day…" Kentaro said a little playfully.
Motoko stared back and whispered, "I'm sorry but I don't take pleasure at meeting a low life who takes women as hostages like you…"
Kentaro frowned with bemusement, "Oh really? Women? I see only two… that is… if you could clarify what you are…"
Motoko flushed with anger. She drew her sword in a quick motion and swung it directly towards Kentaro's neck but it was deflected. Kentaro pushed Motoko's sword aside and kicked her on the knee causing her to drop on the floor. She stifled a scream of pain.
Then Kentaro kicked her on the stomach, lifting her off the ground to drop heavily two paces away. She retched under a cloud of dust.
"Motoko!" Mitsune quickly came to Motoko's aid.
Kentaro stared at the two with a detached sentiment. Then he turned around and faced the astonished samurais watching him and shouted, "THERE! THAT ENDS THE DISCUSSION. ANYBODY WHO THINKS THAT AN AOYOMA IS INDESTRUCTABLE… HERE IS YOUR LIVING PROOF. THEY ARE NOTHING MORE THAN AN EXCUSE FOR A SWORDSMAN!
Motoko heard the insult. Her sight suddenly turned red. Despite the pain, she gritted her teeth in fury as she pushed Mitsune aside to raise her sword high. But before she could move any further Kentaro faced her, closed the gap and swung his sword wildly at the outstretched blade.
The swords clashed ferociously and because of the pain, Motoko was unable to hold, her blade flew out of her hands. Then Kentaro swivelled, kicking Motoko on the neck causing her to be thrown again and land painfully on the dirt. Motoko almost fainted but held on as she coughed blood on the ground.
"KENTARO THAT IS ENOUGH!" Naru shouted from behind; her eyes wide with shock. She could not believe the man's brutality.
But Kentaro disregarded her. He kept his eyes on Motoko's heaving form on the ground. Mitsune once again ran towards Motoko but this time she stood before Kentaro and blocked his way with her arms open.
"Please… stop… please…" Mitsune begged; her eyes red with tears.
"That's for the shogunate samurais you killed…" Kentaro whispered, and then shouted, "MEN! CAN YOU SEE IT NOW? SHE IS NOTHING!"
Kentaro walked towards Naru and continued, "SHE IS NOTHING MORE THAN AN ABNORMALITY! TRYING TO BE SOMETHING SHE IS NOT! AND IN THE EYES OF THE SHOGUN… YOU'RE EITHER A SAMURAI OR NOTHING… SHE ACTS LIKE A MAN BUT SHE'S LESS THAN A SWORDSMAN… SHE'S ONLY A GIRL… WEAK… PATHETIC… LITTLE---"
"She's a true samurai,"
Kentaro was taken aback.
He turned around and found himself staring at a beggar. Or what he thought was a beggar. The man has a dishevelled look, with pieces of rags as his clothes. He was standing in the middle of the street with the shogunate samurais around him.
The newcomer's look wasn't really threatening. It was almost laughable. His defiance was a puny attempt in the midst of inevitable defeat. But what caught Kentaro's attention were the stranger's eyes. It was the cold brown eyes staring back at him that was striking.
It was the eyes of a killer.
Kentaro growled, "Who are you? Are you a slave?"
But the newcomer did not answer. Instead he faced Mitsune who was now busy calming Motoko and asked gently, "Is she alright Konno-san?"
Mitsune glowed at the sight of Keitaro. She felt an utter sense of relief to know that he was there with them. She couldn't hide her gladness. She smiled and answered, "I think she'll be fine…" You're here! You didn't run away! You're here!
But Motoko raised her hand, shaking her head and painfully spoke, "Get… out… of here… you fool… save… your---" Another cough, "---self… idiot!"
Kentaro stomped his feet, irate at being ignored publicly, "YOUR INSOLENCE WILL CAUSE YOU YOUR HEAD SLAVE!"
But Keitaro continued to ignore him. Keitaro bowed towards Motoko then to Naru who was looking at him with both surprise, relief and disdain written across her face, and said, "I apologize for being late… there are a couple of things I need to take care of…"
Then slowly Naru bowed back. It was an unusual response from her. She couldn't help but feel relieved at seeing Keitaro. Containing her sinuous glee with every bit of discipline, she straightened her face and said, "You're either truly insane or stupid…"
Keitaro smiled, "I think I'm a bit of both…"
Kentaro exploded, "ENOUGH!"
He charged towards Keitaro with his sword held high slashing downward. Keitaro deftly side stepped the attack and drew his own short sword.
Then Kentaro swiftly swung his sword to the side and was blocked by the short sword.
The clash of metal rang into the village.
Kentaro drew the sword back again and swung wildly towards Keitaro's neck. But Keitaro read the attack and dodged the blade, stretching his own short sword, he closed the sword gap between them.
Keitaro's sword stopped a hairline away from Kentaro's neck.
Kentaro froze.
The shogunate samurais let out one collective gasp as they watched their liege lord embarrassingly countered and defeated by a scruffy looking warrior in quick successive motions. But it was the speed exhibited by the unknown warrior that was more surprising than their lord's shameful defeat. They had not seen such speed before.
Motoko stared wide mouthed.
---
What in Kami's name is that? How did he manage to…?
Motoko was speechless. Her mind was beyond coherence trying to decipher the mystery that was the odd looking beggar named Keitaro. She watched with surmounting interest as Keitaro blurred between the blade slashes and closed the gap with confident ease.
And now the young man she thought a slave and a beggar had the arrogant liege lord's life in his hand. And Motoko have no doubt that Keitaro would kill him mercilessly.
Motoko blinked.
What? Did he just look at me? Or did I just saw him wink at me? Why would he…?
Looking around Motoko found her sword an arm's reach from her.
Setting her pain aside, Motoko drew the last of her strength. Her features darkened as she reached for her sword.
---
Kentaro stared deep into Keitaro's cold brown eyes.
Their faces were close. And Kentaro could feel the cold metal of the blade pressed hard against his neck. And he could see that this young man would kill him if he made a mistake. This young man before him would kill him. He could see it in his eyes.
Three samurais tentatively stepped forward.
"DON'T MOVE!" Kentaro shouted the order.
He kept his eyes on his assailant.
If there's one thing Kentaro was confident of aside from everything else, it would be his ability to recognise one's own skills. And he could see that in the young man. He could see the raw power hidden beneath the layers of filthy clothing, unshaven dirty face. He could see through the young man's cold eyes, the experience, the tragedy, the raw hatred burning through his very being.
Kentaro smirked and whispered, "You're good… tell me you're name… and maybe I could forget this little incident,"
For a moment the young man blinked then answered politely, "My name's Keitaro. If we are to meet on more friendly circumstances… I could have bought you a glass of sake,"
Kentaro frowned, "If you are a samurai of great honour… I could have accepted wholeheartedly…"
Keitaro raised an eyebrow, his hand never flinching, and the pressure of the blade against Kentaro's neck never faltered even for a second, "Really? Well then… more sake for me…"
"But… your sword skills is something I could truly recognise as competent… something the shogun would recognise as well… why don't you join us… and maybe… just maybe… we could drink that glass of sake after all…"
A moment passed before Keitaro finally spoke.
"Hmmm… I'm sorry but no deal…"
"Oh? And why is that?"
"The women over there… the one you just cowardly fought with has already hired me… so…"
Kentaro reddened in anger. His pride once again slighted but he chose to let it pass, "Then let me offer you a better deal…"
"Actually… I don't make deals with dead men… you shouldn't have made her so angry you know…"
Keitaro slowly released his hold and stepped back. Then he quickly dived to the ground.
Kentaro was still busy trying to comprehend Keitaro's last statement when a scream shook him out of his reverie. Looking up, he found Motoko shooting down towards him with her sword held high over her head, her eyes red with cold fury, her mouth wide open with ferocious snarl, and the battle aura around her was so intense that she glowed like torch.
"ROCK SPLITTING SWORD!"
Kentaro's eyes widened in horror, raised his arms over his head and screamed, "OH NO!"
---
An explosion shook the land.
The tremor was felt through out the neighbouring villages, sending flocks of birds into the sky as trees swayed furiously, winds storming with incredible force. People panicked and animals scattered away from the mountains and into the open field.
Then a thick black mushroom like cloud rose into the sky.
Many thought that the end of the world was upon them. And many commented on the fury of such cataclysmic event. And it was said that a God must have been offended. But nobody knew which one.
---
"What in the…" A stout samurai paused a moment to watch the spectacle in the sky.
His companion, slimmer and taller, did the same and his face showed pure astonishment.
"What do you make out of that Shirai?"
The smaller samurai only shivered and whispered, "I don't know Haitani… something bad is coming our way… I could feel it…"
"Well… that's for sure if we don't get our backsides out of here and into that first village… the lady Narusegawa could be waiting for us…"
Shirai shrugged and lumbered past the other as they stealthily moved deeper into the forest.
"I just wished we have more companions to assist us just in case… this place is crawling with shogunate samurais… you know how merciless they are with imperial samurais like us…"
"Don't worry about that… I could sense that something BIGGER is about to happen…"
"Why is that?"
"Seta-san just arrived before we left…"
The smaller samurai paused again. And for the second time that fateful day his face showed shock and cold concern, "You mean the Norieyasu clan? They're here!"
"That's right… the battle hardened, mighty general of the whole imperial army has returned to the castle to meet with the emperor,"
"This is not good! This is not good at all! That means---,"
"War is imminent… we're going to war!"
Hi there guys and gals! I apologize for the delay! I was a bit busy… and I hope you stay with me long enough to see what would happen in the end. I hope that the action I presented in here is enough for all of you… although the truth is it's just a preview of what's in store in the future… well… what with all the invasion about to happen… and yes everybody's here! I promise! Right down to the side line characters! All of them!
Thanks again for those who were kind enough to leave a message. And please tell me what you think of the story.
Catch u all later! Cheers!
nivremous